Introducing the National Trails Nature Recovery Toolkit

We know that National Trails offer clear health and wellbeing benefits, support local economies, create jobs and bring people and communities together. Yet, their significant potential for nature recovery is often overlooked.

Over the past year, the Protected Landscapes Partnership has enabled National Trails UK to explore how nature recovery can be integrated along the path network. Early discussions with National Trail Officers revealed the need for a practical and engaging manual to assist current and future teams in delivering outcomes for both people and nature.

We’re delighted to share the outcome: The National Trails Nature Recovery Toolkit.

The toolkit highlights the opportunities for nature recovery when looking beyond the worn track to the broader highway corridor. It provides National Trail Officers and Public Rights of Way staff with practical tools to identify opportunities and collaborate with partners to enhance nature along the trails in both rural and urban settings. While the toolkit focuses on England's legislation, its principles can also be applied to Scotland and Wales.

The guide includes background information for those new to nature recovery or those who need help making the case for nature recovery to their partnerships or funders. It then offers a step-by-step guide to developing and delivering a nature recovery project along a National Trail. For National Trails without the budget or resources to undertake larger projects, the guide suggests small maintenance adjustments that can yield significant benefits. It concludes with four case studies, offering officers practical examples of what other National Trails, and beyond, have achieved and learned.

National Trails UK’s newly appointed co-chair, Andy Gattiker says, “At a time when nature is in crisis and funding is in short supply, it is more important than ever that we can maximise opportunities to support nature recovery alongside delivering trail maintenance and improvement. This toolkit equips trail managers with guidance to make trails work for nature as well as people, which can save time, money and effort.”

The development of this invaluable resource was led by the PLP-funded NTUK Nature Recovery Coordinator, with support from Maydencroft Ltd, National Trail Officers and partners. The toolkit was officially launched on 18th March at the National Trails UK Nature Recovery Special Interest Group. This is the first version of the toolkit, which will be tested and expanded upon in 2025/26.

You can access the toolkit HERE. If you would like to receive a PDF copy of the toolkit instead or are interested in collaborating with National Trails UK or one of our National Trails on a nature recovery project, please reach out to hannah@nationaltrails.uk